Multidirectional aerosol dispenser

ABSTRACT

A simplified multidirectional aerosol dispenser for dispensing the aerosol in a plurality of directions from a container without turning the container from a substantially vertical position, said dispenser having a rotatable cylindrical dispensing tube having an angular end surface, said tube being provided with a dispensing passage opening in said angular end surface, and a manipulating member secured to the dispensing tube for rotating said tube and having a surface extending in the direction of said passage to indicate the direction of the dispensing of the aerosol. Means can be provided for preventing inadvertent rotation of the dispensing tube or inadvertent actuation of the actuating button.

i United States Patent Philip Meshberg Fairtield, Conn. 06430 [21 Appl. No. 795,251

[22] Filed Jan. 30, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [72] lnventor [54] MULTl-DIRECTIONAL AEROSOL DISPENSER 3,176,888 4/1965 Focht ZZZ/402.17 3,261,557 7/1966 Greenebaum 222/402.24X

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Attorney-Johnson & Kline ABSTRACT: A simplified multidirectional aerosol dispenser for dispensing the aerosol in a plurality of directions from a container without turning the container from a substantially vertical position, said dispenser having a rotatable cylindrical dispensing tube having an angular end surface, said tube being provided with a dispensing passage opening in said angular end surface, and a manipulating member secured to the dispensing tube for rotating said tube and having a surface extending in the direction of said passage to indicate the direction of the dispensing of the aerosol. Means can be provided for preventing inadvertent rotation of the dispensing tube or inadvertent actuation of the actuating button.

MULTI-DIRECTIONAL AEROSQLDISPENSER Heretofore it has been proposed to move the container having a special valve through various positions to direct the material discharged therefrom in various directions. This became a difficult operation when large containers were used. Also, a rotatable elongate bent tube was used, as disclosed in my US. Pat. No; 3,402,862, to direct the material. This elongate tube extended along the side of the container and under some circumstances was awkward to handle. Also, with some material which should be dispensed close to the actuator button, the elongate tube was a disadvantage.

The present invention, which is an improvement over my above-mentioned patent. to which reference is made, provides a simple and less expensive construction which'is easier to manufacture, assemble, and to operate, and does not have the disadvantages of the elongate bent tube.

This is accomplished by the use of a relatively short dispensing tube which is rotatably mounted in a cylindrical socket in the actuating button, having passages connecting the usual valve passage to the dispensing tube. The outer end of the dispensing tube is provided with a surface which is angu larly disposed to the axis of the tube and is provided with a dispensing passage which, when the tube is rotated, will direct the material being dispensed in a plurality of directions. The tube has a manipulating member secured thereto to facilitate the rotation of the tube, which member has a means extending in the direction of the dispensing passage to indicate the direction in which the material will be dispensed upon operation of the button. Preferably, means is provided to cooperate .with said manipulating member for preventing inadvertent rotation of the tube or operation of the actuating button.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section showing the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view taken from the left of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views through the actuating button and dispensing tube showing two positions thereof.

As shown in the drawing, a usual container having material under pressure has a valve'stem 11 of a usual valve (not shown) projecting'therefrom and on which an actuating button 12 is mounted. Inward movement of the button from the position of FIG. 1 causes the valve to be actuated and permit material under pressure in the container to be fed through passages 13, 14 of the button to one end of the bore 15 of a dispensing tube 16, which has an enlarged cylindrical end portion 16a rotatably mounted in a cylindrical socket 17 in the actuating button. The other end of the dispensing tube 16, which projects a shortdistance from the button, has an end surface 18 which is inclined and angularly disposed to the axis of the dispensing tube 16 and has a dispensing passage 19 extending from said bore 15 and opening in said surface 18.

In the illustrated form of the invention the dispensing tube 16 extends through a slot 20 in a tubular cover 21 surrounding the actuating button, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and secured at 22 to the container 10 with the sides 20a of the slot overlapping a shoulder 23 formed by the enlarged end 16a of the dispensing tube 16 to prevent inadvertent removal of the dispensing tube. 1

In accordance with the present invention means is provided for rotating the tube 16 in the cylindrical socket 17, which will cause the dispensing passage 19 tomove'in a circular path and provide for multidirectional dispensing of the material. As herein illustrated, this means comprises a manipulating member 25 which is secured to the side of the tube projecting beyond the cover 20 and in position to be readily grasped to rotate the tube. Preferably, it is located on the side of the tube 16 opposite said passage 19 and has a portion or surface 26 extending in the direction of the passage 19 to indicate the direction in which the material is to be dispensed. If desired, the surface 26 can be provided with. an arrow shape 27 to further assist in proper positioning of the dispensing passage.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, means can be provided for preventing inadvertent rotation of the tube 16 and operation of the actuating button 12.- As herein illus trated, the side of the tubular cover adjacent slot 20 is provided with a fiat portion 28 which permits the manipulating member to be extended further inward from the end of the tube 16 and to be rotated without interference by the cover. A ledge 29 formed at the bottom of the flat portion is provided with a notch or the like member 30 which releasably receives the end of the member 25, when in the: position of FIG. 2, and holds it against inadvertent rotation to move the passage 19 and also serves as a blocking member :for preventing inadvertent operation of the actuating button. 7

It will be seen, therefore, that the present invention provides a simplified, inexpensive, and easily assembled and operated multidirectional dispensing device with none of the disadvantages of the prior devices.

While the present invention has been described as applied to an aerosol container containing material under pressure, it is equally applicable to dispensing from pump-type containers whereby the dispensing pressure is produced by the pump action.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Iclaim:

1. In a multidirectional dispenser for dispensing material from a container having a valve for controlling the flow of material from the container and anactuating button for said valve having passages communicating with said valve and with a dispensing tube rotatable mounted in a cylindrical socket in said button, the improvement wherein said dispensing tube is a short straight tube rotatable on the longitudinal axis of the tube and has an angularly disposed free end surface and a dispensing passage opening in said surface and wherein a tube manipulating member is secured to the tube opposite said dispensing passage to rotate the sameninthe socket to move the dispensing passage in a circular path;

2. The invention as defined in claimI wherein said member has a surface extending in the directionof the passage to indicate the direction in which the aerosol. will be dispensed therefrom.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said surface on the manipulating member is arrow shaped to facilitate the selection of the dispensing direction.

4. The invention as defined in claim I wherein there is notch means cooperating with the manipulating member to prevent inadvertent rotation of said dispensing tube.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein there is means cooperating with the manipulating member to prevent inadvertent actuation of said actuating button. 

1. In a multidirectional dispenser for dispensing material from a container having a valve for controlling the flow of material from the container and an actuating button for said valve having passages communicating with said valve and with a dispensing tube rotatable mounted in a cylindrical socket in said button, the improvement wherein said dispensing tube is a short straight tube rotatable on the longitudinal axis of the tube and has an angularly disposed free end surface and a dispensing passage opening in said surface and wherein a tube manipulating member is secured to the tube opposite said dispensing passage to rotate the same in the socket to move the dispensing passage in a circular path.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said member has a surface extending in the direction of the passage to indicate the direction in which the aerosol will be dispensed therefrom.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said surface on the manipulating member is arrow shaped to facilitate the selection of the dispensing direction.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein there is notch means cooperating with the manipulating member to prevent inadvertent rotation of saiD dispensing tube.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein there is means cooperating with the manipulating member to prevent inadvertent actuation of said actuating button. 